Temperature ratings on sleeping bags. US vs EU

>> Would a ratio of loft over total weight of bag give a good figure for comparing sleepingbags?

We looked at doing something similar when we wrote our Unconventional Sleep Systems article. But the problem is the huge difference in size of the various bags. A narrow, Hobbit-sized bag would score unfairly well over a larger one — even if it failed to provide enough coverage to provide adequate warmth.

Cheers,

-Mike

True, Michael, but the ratio will still be good for the purpose: efficiency rating.

1. Determine the loft required (i.e. for x degrees, I need y inches of loft.
2. Select bags with y inches of loft that will fit the user.
3. Narrow down further by looking at the ratio to determine which bag is the most efficient.

Looking at tents for example, BPL provides a sq ft / weight ratio — knowing that, of course, buyers should look at and compare many other variables. Ditto for bags. There's not going to be one magically comprehensive ratio. But that's not to say that therefore we should just give up on coming up with something that allows for comparison among different bags.